As in his previous book, Maphead--an Amazon Best Book of 2011--Jennings is a funny, nerdy, know-it-all companion.(His cred: 75 appearances and $2.5 million on Jeopardy!) Like Mythbusters for parents, Jennings debunks many of the edicts we all grew up with, revealing how little mom and dad knew about the job. Except for the one about not talking to strangers. Turns out that one stands the test of time and scrutiny.

Generally, I think you'd say I'm a mostly fiction reader, with a little memoir, some biography and the occasional think-y book thrown in for balance. The one thing you'd probably never say -- just ask the people who know me -- is that I'm known for my opinions on books by or about soldiers (except maybe The Yellow Birds, but that, again, is fiction).

OK, so I'm not an aficionado of the genre: I've never seen Delta Force or read any of the other books about Navy Seals... In fact, I'm the mother of a MAM (military aged man in SEAL parlance); we're not generally the ones who love to read about anybody's children putting themselves in serious harm's way -- even for love of country, let alone the pure thrill of it.

As a MOMAM, I admit to fascination with Mark Owen's descriptions in No Easy Day, particularly about his childhood in rural Alaska: "My parents never let me play with toy guns because by the time I was finished with elementary school I was carrying a .22 rifle;" Less appealing, perhaps, but still fascinating was the stuff about the practical jokes SEALS play on each other: Hanging a bra on a buddy's backpack? Slipping a sex toy into someone else's bag of gear? This is a book that celebrates a certain kind of man and a certain kind of brotherhood.

There's none of that cartoonishness in The Finish, Mark Bowden's measured, reportorial account of the same topic. Instead, Bowden includes accounts of private conversations he had with Barack Obama, as well as interviews he did with some of Owen's very same SEALS. Ultimately he produces a better, more balanced, more interesting book -- which is why it's higher on our list.

But then, it depends what you're in the mood for. If you're hankering for what Jonathan Segura called, in Publisher's Weekly, "gear porn," No Easy Day is the book for you. If what you'd like is a more thoughtful account of how the Obama administration made one of the most important decisions of its first presidency, buy Bowden.

It used be that editors picked authors. But these days, with self-publishing flourishing, and with an ever-increasing number of authors looking to tweak their manuscripts before sending them off to prospective homes, sometimes it's the author who is picking the editor. And that can be a tricky thing! I mean, an editor's work is by nature invisible"”if you can spot it, they're generally doing it wrong. But if not by the evidence of their work, by what should you judge this would-be judge?

Of course, you can't just judge all editors on the same scale. Editors come in all types and experiences, just like writers. And an editor who is an awesomtastic fit for one author may be an awful fit for you. So really, the important question is how to find an editor who is a good fit for you and your needs. This means finding an editor who has both a strong understanding of what you are trying to achieve and the editorial skills to help you achieve it. And, perhaps most importantly, it also means finding an editor who communicates in a way that works for you.

Finding the perfect editor for your book could take a while"”but it's worth it. A good editor is like a book's best friend: they share the author's vision and help draw it into even sharper focus"”making it the best version of that book it could possibly be. So, to that end, here are a few of the dos and don'ts for how to play matchmaker for your manuscript, and suss out just the right editor to satisfy you both.

DO Ask the Right Questions

It seems self-evident, but making sure you and a prospective editor are on the same page is vital to satisfying edit. Even the term "editing" can hold confusion! I mean, there are many different types of editing, and in each type, there's a lot of variation. So, it pays nail down your expectations"”and those of the editor"”before getting in too deep. And that means . . .

Tell them the right things:

What stage is your manuscript in?

Do you want to pursue self-publishing, traditional publishing, or something else entirely?

What are your expectations for the edit"”what do you want to get out of it?

What kind of book are you going for, and what books are similar to your book? (This is very useful for an editor"”if an editor doesn't know what you're going for, she can hardly help you achieve it.)

What are your general concerns about your manuscript (dialogue, structure, character, etc.)?

And ask them the right questions:

What genres and age groups has the editor worked with/does the editor read regularly?

What is included in an edit (editorial letter, inline notes, skype conversation, how much back-and-forth, level of detail, etc.)?

What does the editor focus on in an edit (writing style, character development, spelling, truthiness, etc.)?

What is the editor's editorial background (how many years and with what publishing houses doing what, and if they have any author testimonials or editing blogs you can peruse)?

How does the editor handle the business side of the edit (timeline, contracts, cost calculations, payments, etc.)?

And, of course, if they have a web site, read it! Many editors already have most of this information online, which can save you both time while simultaneously convincing the editor of your savvy professionalism, killer research instincts, and excellent reading comprehension skills.

DON'T Skip the Beta Reader

So here's the thing: you want to get your money's worth from a freelance edit? Then get your manuscript as clean as possible before handing it over. If you give an editor a piece that's architecturally challenged, she's going to have to spend all her time stopping the roof from caving in"”rather than helping you draw out thematic elements, fiddle with plot arcs, and capitalize on characters. Because you just can't do the advanced stuff until the basics are solid. And that means getting a beta reader.

A beta reader is literally your first reader"”well, second, after Alpha Author. They're usually another writer (or group of writers), whose manuscript(s) you're beta-reading in turn. Beta reader notes are rarely as exhaustive as an editor's notes"”you're not paying them, after all!"”and they rarely have an editor's training, but they're damn useful for first reactions, and for helping work through those basics.

And also? Beta readers are free. Freelance editors? Not so much. This makes a lot of cost-conscious authors want to skip editors altogether and just use beta readers"”especially if they have some killer beta readers at their disposal. And it makes others (who enjoy looking gift horses in the mouth) want to skip beta readers and just use editors. But really, they serve different purposes, and if I were self-publishing, I wouldn't go without either one.

DO Ask for a Sample Edit

You can't just ask for a sample of an editor's work. I mean, that would mean exposing some poor, unsuspecting author's bare, unedited prose"”and the editor's comments on such--which is something many editors would consider to be a breach of confidentiality. (Would you want your raw prose exposed to the world, complete with editorial commentary?) I mean, sure, some authors are cool with it, but not all, and it sets an interesting precedent. But you can totally ask for a sample edit.

A sample edit means the editor edits just a portion of your manuscript"”usually something like two to three chapters, or so. Enough so that you can get an idea of how the editor works"”what their inline notes are like, what their editorial letters look like, and how the discussion with the editor goes afterward. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to see if you like their approach to your manuscript, and whether you think they understand what you're going for and will be able to help you achieve it.

Of course, a sample edit is rarely free"”it's a lot of work for the editor--but it's a lot less than a full developmental edit, and it's invaluable for helping make sure you get a good fit.

DON'T Judge an Editor Just by the Books She's Edited

Just because an editor has worked on your favorite book of all time, that doesn't mean you're going to be a great fit. Likewise, an editor who has worked on a book you absolutely loathe may actually prove to have just the insight you need. You can get an idea of an editor by what she's edited"”but you can't really judge her by it.

This is because, when it comes down to it, it's the author's book. The editor can edit the hell out of a manuscript"”suggesting every change you've thought of and more"”but at the end of the day, it's the author who writes the book. And, especially in freelance editing, where an editor might only see a book once, the author is free to keep, ignore, or differently implement any bit of advice they may receive. After all, it's the author on the book cover"”not the editor.

Of course, the books an editor has worked on are invaluable for telling you the editor's experiences (like whether they've worked at a publishing house before, and whether they've worked with authors similar to you before), their expertise (subgenres they've worked with, markets they understand, age groups they tend toward), and their taste (assuming, of course, they got to pick the books they work on). All this is more useful for ruling editors out than ruling them in, but it is a good start.

DO Be Professionally Savvy

Choosing an editor is a big commitment! So, as with all big commitments made with complete strangers over the internet, be smart about it. Make sure you know the terms of your contract ahead of time"”what is included in an edit, how long it will take, what it will cost, and how the business aspects will be handled. Read their editing and writing blogs, if they have them, to get an idea of the kind of advice they give. Check Preditors & Editors or ask around to make sure the editor you're considering is on the straight and narrow. And if you feel uncomfortable with any part of the situation, find a different editor! While trying out an editor for the first time is always a little scary, you deserve an editor in whom you have confidence.

December 07, 2012

[The author of twenty-five books, Connelly's latest is The Black Box, one of Amazon's Best of the Month mystery & thriller picks. The Black Box features Connelly's world-weary, crime-fighting hero Harry Bosch, whom he introduced twenty years ago in his award winning first novel, The Black Echo.]

What's the elevator pitch for The Black Box?

Harry Bosch returns to an unsolved murder he tried to close twenty years ago during the riots that followed the Rodney King police brutality trial in Los Angeles.

Harry Bosch has now been with us for twenty years "“ can you describe him in 20 words?

Harry Bosch knows how to make every case deeply personal, giving him the internal fire that makes him absolutely relentless.

If the real Harry was sitting across from you, what would you say to him?

I'd tell him I am sorry to have put him through such difficult times. I'd explain that I never thought he would be around so long so I did not realize that these constant tests of character would add up to twenty years of such difficulties. My bad.

After 20 years, what's your relationship with Harry? A friend? A brother? A burden?

Certainly not a burden. Always an opportunity. Through him I get to say anything, explore anything. I like the idea of calling the relationship a brotherhood.

Non-believersgenerally fall on a spectrum from militant to utterly disinterested, but some,like New Yorker Oliver Broudy, truly care about religious faith. To theirimmense credit, they tend to be actively curious listeners with an overtwillingness to suspend disbelief and approach the faithful with the peaceoffering of an open mind, in an attempt to understand better how the other halflives.

Broudy is fast becoming the essayist of record for such generous atheism.In the past eighteen months, his Kindle Singles have explored this theme throughthe lenses of three unique narratives, building acohesive bodyof work that portends Broudy's emerging mastery of the long-form, high-stakes,nonfiction narrative.

The Saint (alsoavailable in Spanish as El Santo) profiles James Otis--a wealthy Gandhi devotee and collector of Mahatma-relatedmemorabilia--a seemingly routine journalism gig that takesBroudy halfway around the world and through a whiplashing gauntlet of emotionalcrests and troughs. Forced to play friend, protector, fixer, PR agent, and ahost of other duties on Otis's behalf, Broudy weathers lies, danger, and difficultself-discovery, emerging from his Gotham ennui with a tale that succeeds asprofile, travelogue, and tale of true adventure.

On its surface, The Codex is a coyly unfolding narrativeof Broudy's trip to Prague in pursuit of the meaning of a strange book, "abook so explicit that it would be banned by any public library, a book whosepages chronicled the extinction of mystery, and at the same time spawned newmysteries just by existing." Featuring an outspoken cosmetic surgeon--amysterious artist of the female form who may provide the key to Broudy's own mixedfeeling about adulthood--it employs gorgeous prose, a keen succession of nestedstructures, and a parade of scalping insights into modern life.

Most recently, The Convert--our top pick for theBest Kindle Singles of 2012--explores one man's brutal "odyssey from atheism to belief." ErinMounsey is a survivor of horrific burns whose backstory is widely availableonline, and whose eventual conversion must rank as one of the most dramaticsince that of St. Paul himself. Broudy's novella-length profile reads as if itwere almost palpably difficult for him--as an atheist--to write, and yet it's sorich, virtuosic, and memorable that the temptation to shout its highlights fromthe rooftops faces off against the contrary desire to give almost nothing away,the better to let interested readers discover its deep well of poignantly challengingcharms for themselves.

All told, Broudyremains a non-believer. But he's no Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens: nodismissive sneering here. Rather, Broudy wants to understand, and it's thisdesire--realized in sinuous prose and wonderfully unexpected insights--thatdistinguishes his extended essays. If there's a more accomplished chronicler ofexistential ambivalence alive today, please bring him or her to my attention.In the meantime, I'm much more interested in reading Oliver Broudy'snext failure than most contemporary essayists' next personal bests.

December 06, 2012

Author, actor, director, artist and surrealistic Renaissance woman Miranda July visited Seattle last night for a performance she called "My Autobiography." Part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures series (lectures.org), the sold-out show was equal parts confessional, performance art, stand-up routine, and improv. It was a blast. She's funny, thoughtful, and charmingly odd. She wore zebra tights.

July discussed the evolution of her creative process, from her first book (around age four) to her first film (in her teens), to her shaggy 20s plays and performances at punk clubs in Portland, all of which guided her toward a diverse work life as a filmmaker (Me and You and Everyone We Know won awards at Sundance and Cannes), author (It Chooses You featured characters she found in Pennysaver ads), and artist (her work has been presented at MoMA and the Guggenheim).

July is currently working on a novel, while raising her son, now eight months old. I didn't get a chance to interview her (though I did get to play dueling iPhone photos in her mirror-filled green room--see below). But the Seattle Arts & Lectures folks conducted this Proust Questionnaire, similar to the "Amazon Asks" Q&A questions I would've asked her anyway.

~~

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Having accomplished some great feat of writing on the previous day, a day laid out in front of me that is mostly full of reading and eating and sleeping in the sun.

It's the Holiday Season! I love it. Really. But if you'relike me and sometimes find yourself up to here with your role as Director ofAll Things Jolly, you might need an occasional respite from all that onlineshopping, card addressing, school concerts attending, off-key caroling, outdoorlight hanging, and holiday Pinteresting. In the Connie-verse that means hiding,er, withdrawing for a few precious hours with a good romance. But since it'sThe Season, you don't want to withdraw too far from the battle lines; you neverknow when you might be called upon to whip up a batch of cookies or don a Santabeard and pinch hit for your neighbor at the local daycare. So here are some romancesguaranteed to take you away while still keeping you in the holiday mood.

Ms. Alexander is at the top of her game in this wonderfullyfunny, clever, and romantic tale. The lovely widow Lydington is ready to tie theknot again, this time with an imported prince who is absolutely mad toexperience a perfect, traditional English Christmas. Unfortunately there isnothing traditional, let alone perfect, about Lady Lydington's clan. So shehires actors to take their places. The only thing she doesn't count on is oldflame Gray Elliot appearing at her door, out to prove to himself that he'squite over the woman who broke his heart. I adore second-chance-at-love storiesand this one hits on all cylinders.

If I love second-chance-at-love stories, I adore a bad-boyhero. And Pierce Devonmont is uber-bad: a gorgeous, cynical gambler given todrinking, wenching, and tortured self-reflection"”hold on while I fan myself. Butwhen Pierce receives word that the mother, who for all intents and purposes abandoned him, is dying, he nonetheless flies to her side. Andto the side of her companion, the very disapproving Camille Stuart. Camille isdetermined to bring about reconciliation between Pierce and the woman she hasgrown to love. Even if it means lying about that same lady's imminent death. An unrepentant rake and a brusque, no-nonsense spinster? The combo is flat-out combustible.

A touching, tender story with a nice dollop of animalmagnetism. After Lisette's husband diesin Afghanistan, his death benefits inexplicably end up going to his halfbrother, Raff Jones, a man Lisette knew nothing about. Worse, her son is goingdeaf and there's no money to pay for medical care. In rides Raff (cue heromusic!) to hand over money he doesn't consider his. Ms. Wilde pairs a womandetermined to finally stand on her own with the sort of delicious alpha malewho seems genetically hardwired to protect those in need. The results arespectacularly moving.

And because it's the Season of Giving, I'm not stopping withfour picks. I'm adding a few more because, well, you might need them!

"Humbug" Bailey's resigned to saving her family's Christmas business...if everyone would just get out of her way. And that includes the sexyboy-next-door-turned-special-agent (?!) she loved and lost ten years earlier.

Choosing the best picture books of the year is one of my favorite things to do as I stare down the close of another year. It's so fun to go back through and enjoy the books all over again--even the ones I haven't stopped reading for months (those are truly the best!). Here are the Top 10 and you can see all 20 of the best picture books of 2012, in best-selling order, here.

Editors' Picks for the Best Picture Books of 2012

1. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen: Klassen's award-winning book I Want My Hat Back was a big hit in 2011 and his new one is every bit as fun. This is Not My Hat flips the story so this time it's the thief we are following--in this case a little fish who steals a bowler hat from a very large fish--as he tries to get away with it. I love this book so much because the illustrations effortlessly tell much of the story and the ending invites conversation as both fish go into the tall weeds and only the big one comes out. With his hat on. What happened to the little fish? Maybe he got eaten, maybe they had a talk and he gave it back, maybe he dropped the hat and escaped. It can be different every time, limited only by a child's (or parent's) imagination. I chatted with Klassen a few weeks ago in the Amazon offices and he drew while we talked--you'll recognize the turtle from the first book and the crab from the second. You can see the video after our #10 pick below.

2. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmoreby William Joyce: Joyce has had a busy year--the animated short film version of this picture book won an Oscar (!) and he published the next 3 books in his terrific new chapter book series, The Guardians of Childhood--you may also recognize that title from the movie adaptation out now. The Fantastic Flying Books...is a picture book for book lovers, sharing an appreciation for stories, however they are told, and illustrated in wondrous detail.

3. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttonsby James Dean and Eric Litwin: Pete the Cat is a new favorite around my house, and for good reason. Pete is laid back and loves to tell a story with a song. In Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete does the math (in song, of course) on how many buttons he has left after yet another one pops off until the final button goes...but it's still not the end (Pete still has a belly button!). Really fun to read aloud, and a big hit with the PreK-K set.

4. Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer: This is one of my favorite Olivia books so far. In true Olivia fashion she wants to be different and this time she's eschewing the pink princess trend that all the girls (and a couple of boys) are following. Falconer's illustrations are brilliant and I particularly love how Olivia tries on princess alternatives and goes through a Martha Graham phase. Pure Olivia fun with a great message about identity and self-confidence.

5. Big Mean Mikeby Michelle Knudsen and Scott Magoon: The picture book version of an often told story--a character with a hard exterior is found to be hiding a heart of gold. Mike is a tough, leather jacket wearing bulldog who keeps finding fuzzy white bunnies hiding in his big, loud, muscle car. He tries to resist their cute little bunny faces but at last he just has to give in and enjoy their company. I love the message about standing up for friends in the face of the "in" crowd and not judging people by their exterior. And there are bunnies wearing sunglasses. Need I say more?

6. Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney: LLama Llama always hits the right notes and sharing is an ideal topic for toddlers on up who can relate to Llama's dramas. Dewdney gets the dynamics of little ones sharing--and then suddenly deciding they no longer want to--often with the result we see in the book of the very toy being fought over ending up broken in the struggle. All's well that ends well for Llama and Time to Share is worth reading over and over.

7. The Cloud Spinnerby Michael Catchpool and Alison Jay: Alison Jay's illustrations have a special quality of being beautifully detailed but the feel is warm and simple--her style is easily recognizable and she's one of my favorites. Jay's images perfectly embody a soft and heartfelt environmental message that touches on greed and preservation of resources. Best of all, it's the kids in the story who see what is happening and take action. Every time I read this book I think of someone else I want to give it to.

8. The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare by Sam McBratney: Guess How Much I Love You is still a favorite with parents and kids so having a new Nutbrown Hare story this year is really exciting. In each of the four stories that make up Adventures...budding independence is tempered by parental support and reassurance that makes the Nutbrown Hare books relatable and timeless.

9. The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems: The Pigeon is joined by an adorable little duckling who gets what he wants just by asking...politely. Duckling and Pigeon are both sides of the coin and it's easy for little ones to make the connection between using good manners and kindness rather than a temper tantrum to get what you want--whether it's a cookie or a friend.

10. I Have a Dreamby Martin Luther King Jr. and Kadir Nelson: Kadir Nelson's stunning illustrations accompany the full text of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech in a new picture book that includes an audio CD of the original speech from 1963 . King's words and Nelson's images are a powerful and breathtaking combination that has award-winner written all over it.

December 05, 2012

I think teenagers are the hardest to buy for, for the same reasons that YA authors like to write for them--a teen reader has no qualms about telling you they love a book or can't stand it and they are passionate either way.

Luckily, this holiday season there are some really great choices in books so I thought I'd share a handful of editor's picks for the best gift ideas--as you'll see, I love a box set (especially when the price is right) and, in fact, I still have a couple battered box sets that I received many years ago (Little House, Narnia--though my set looks like this). And why limit these gift ideas to just teens? I would recommend them for adults who read YA or popular fiction as well. You can find more editor's picks in gifts for kids & teens here. What books are on your wish list?

Matched Trilogy Box Set: This is a series tailor-made for Hunger Games readers. Romance and action in a Big Brother society, and I'm not giving anything away to tell you that it starts with a teen girl, Cassia, who is shown her expected marriage match--but for a brief second another boy's face appears on the screen. Hmmm... The story builds from there, each book adding a new layer and new voices to the narrative. Addictive reading.

John Green Box Set: Oh, John Green, how do I love thee...The Fault in Our Stars is our #1 pick for the Best Teen books of 2012 and he hasn't won the Printz award and Honor for nothin'. If you are the one to introduce Green's books to someone who has never read him they will thank you later and I bet you'll get a really good gift from that person next year. Funny and smart with characters you fall in love with, Green's books are memorable and relatable. The set includes updated hardcover editions of four favorites: Looking for Alaska (Printz Award winner), An Abundance of Katherines(Printz Honor winner), Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars.

Lauren Conrad Beauty: Lauren Conrad has managed to maintain her popularity in the fickle teen world. Her new book of beauty tips isn't going to have anyone heading to school looking like Lady Gaga, but rather like a well-coiffed and skillfully made-up version of themselves. I'm happy to report that I tried her methods for glamorous (but not ridiculous) eyeliner and hair curling and met with success.

The Hobbit (Deluxe Collector's Edition): The big movie of the holiday season, The Hobbit film should have people of all ages reading or re-reading the Tolkien classic. This edition is gorgeous and unique, besides the swanky cover there is a map and text pages printed in black with green accents (!)--it will make a beautiful gift for any bookshelf and especially so for the Tolkien obsessed.

Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-up Adventure: Who doesn't love a cool pop-up book? This would be a good one for those tough tween boys and Matthew Reinhart is the paper genius behind the best-selling Star Wars Pop Up Guide to the Galaxy. The new book is elaborate, with small pop-ups off pages with big ones and even a lightsaber that lights up when you open the page. There is an awesome customer review video on the page that can show you more than I could ever hope to explain. May the force be with you this holiday season.

Oprah Winfrey has announced the newest title in her Book Club 2.0Â®. It's The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by debut novelist Ayana Mathis. Already described by Publishers Weekly as "a gifted and powerful writer," Mathis tells the story of the children of the Great Migration through the trials of one unforgettable family.